Box Score
DEKALB, Ill. - The Panthers defeated WIU 60-52 after dominating on the board the entire game.
Karle Pace led all scorers with 21 points, and
Abby Wahl managed 19 points. Eastern gave up plenty of turnovers on the game, with 27; however the Panthers didn't waver and stayed in the game. WIU struggled against the defensive pressure that Eastern forced. 41 total fouls were called during the game. Eastern's record moves up to 6-4 on the season, while WIU drops to 6-7.Â
The Panthers got off to a strong start, stealing the ball seven times in the first quarter of play. The Leathernecks struggled early with turnovers, giving up the ball four times in the first five minutes of play. The Panthers, while active on defense, got too anxious and committed six fouls. The Leathernecks committed four personal fouls. Pace led the Panthers in scoring with 6 points. WIU led the Panthers 16-15 going into the second quarter.Â
Pace continued to produce for the Panthers, swishing an two early threes. After a
Paige Schumann to Wahl jumper went in, the Leathernecks were forced to take a timeout with five minutes left in the half. Out of the break, Schumann stripped the ball away and passed up to Pace who nailed her fourth three of the night.
Claudia Stan got into the game to slow down the post offense by Western, and quickly made her presence known. Stan grabbed three offensive rebounds which ultimately ended in a layup by
Jennifer Nehls. EIU led 32-29 at the half.
Eastern came out of the half a little slow, but came back in the final minutes of the third quarter. Wahl scored 7 points and led the majority of the offense for the Panthers. Litwiller spread out the floor knocking down the three and keeping EIU ahead in the game. WIU was outscored by 4 points in the third quarter. EIU stayed in the lead, 48-41.
Stan continued to be a presence in the paint coming off of the bench. Stan swatted two blocks and one steal in the fourth, keeping the Leathernecks humble. Wahl, Pace and
Taylor Steele carried the offensive load for EIU in the fourth. The Panthers led 55-47 with a minute left in play, and managed to hold the lead, winning their fourth game on the road. After a Leatherneck steal and layup, WIU was within 6 points. Panthers held the lead and secured third place in the Compass Tournament.
The Panthers will return to Lantz Arena after the holidays to take on Valpariaso on Dec. 30.